Obama PH visit will press ahead despite Zamboanga crisis – DFA chief

MANILA, Philippines – US President Barack Obama’s visit to the Philippines next month will push through despite the ongoing crisis in Zamboanga City, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Thursday.

Del Rosario said the United States has not expressed any concern about Obama’s planned visit to the country as part of his four-nation tour in October.

“None have been expressed to me,” he told reporters after attending a budget hearing at the Senate.

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Asked then if Obama’s visit will push through, del Rosario said yes.

The foreign affairs chief could not say however, the issues that President Benigno Aquino III might raise when he meets Obama.

“We have not worked out the agenda yet. It’s a work in progress,” del Rosario said.

He could not also say if Aquino and Obama would have a formal meeting when they both attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Indonesia also next month.

“Apec is a meeting of all the heads of state and heads of government so they will see each other there. Now I don’t know if there will be a formal meeting,” del Rosario added.